Northern California's Finest
Northern California's Finest
Northern California's Finest
9 Days Starting and ending in San Francisco, California
Visiting: San Francisco, Sonoma, Sacramento, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, North America
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AL-2025
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 36
Age range:
5-99
Special diets catered:
Please Advise Request
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Southern California may be known for its movie stars, but Northern California is the home of true legends that stand the test of time. The real larger-than-life superstars you’ll encounter here are found in the stunning landscapes of Yosemite National Park and the rocky coast along Monterey’s famous 17-Mile Drive. From the dramatic hills of the streets of San Francisco to the towering giants of Sequoia and King Canyon National Parks, you’ll be a fan for life on this nine-day tour through Northern California. Visit a family-owned winery in the serene Sonoma Valley to taste their award-winning wines. Other stellar experiences to toast on this Northern California vacation? Stargazing under the sequoias and saying goodnight from the comfort of classic stone-and-cedar national park lodges.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In San Francisco,California
Location: San Francisco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: San Francisco Marriott Marquis
ARRIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORNIA Welcome to San Francisco! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome drink. FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE in San Francisco with a walk on Fisherman’s Wharf, a bowl of clam chowder with famous sourdough bread, or a Ghirardelli chocolate or two in the stunning city by the bay. Your Tour Director has suggestions for your night, and your GlobusGO mobile app puts all the possibilities right at your fingertips.
Day 2: San Francisco
Location: San Francisco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: San Francisco Marriott Marquis
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
SAN FRANCISCO The City by the Bay This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of San Francisco to take in its famous sights. Enjoy free time to explore the Golden City before dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCITY SIGHTS San Francisco is a city to be loved. Maybe that’s why so many visitors really do leave their hearts here. From Golden Gate National Recreation area and the stunning Japanese Tea Gardens to the iconic and incredible Golden Gate Bridge to the historic Presidio, you’ll also soak in the sea air with sights of Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, and more.
Day 3: San Francisco,Sonoma,Sacramento
Location: San Francisco, Sonoma, Sacramento
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade
Meals Included: Breakfast
SAN FRANCISCO–SONOMA–SACRAMENTO Bridge to Bountiful Travel across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sonoma for a city tour and free time for lunch on your own. Delight in a tasting at a [LF] family-owned winery. Continue to the capital of California, Sacramento, for a sightseeing tour and a free evening. Tonight, venture out to explore one of the many restaurants, craft breweries, and wine-tasting rooms. (B)LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Visit a beautiful winery, where estate-grown, sustainably farmed wines have flowed for over a century. Taste the California vintages that thrive here with a tradition of generations.
Day 4: Sacramento,Yosemite National Park
Location: Sacramento, Yosemite National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
SACRAMENTO–YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Treasures of the High Sierras Travel south through the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Yosemite National Park. Best known for its waterfalls, but with nearly 1,200 square miles, you can also find grand meadows, ancient sequoias, and much more. Continue to the Tenaya Lodge for a memorable 2-night stay. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHTACCOMMODATION SPOTLIGHT Tenaya Lodge is nestled among towering Sugar Pines in the Sierra National Forest offering an elegant stay with access to multiple eateries, a world-class spa, three swimming pools, and refined guestrooms with deluxe amenities. Enjoy the night sky and sweet snack at the fire pit with a s’mores kit. The pinnacle of Yosemite-area lodging, Tenaya Lodge offers Globus travelers something special.
Day 5: Yosemite National Park
Location: Yosemite National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
Meals Included: Breakfast
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Nature’s Cathedral Today, descend into the 4,000-foot valley for an open-air Valley Floor Tram to explore the famous sites of El Capitan, Cathedral Spires, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome. Enjoy free time for the balance of the day in Yosemite National Park. (B)FREE TIME TIPSEXPLORE MORE in Yosemite National Park. The place which Theodore Roosevelt described as a “great solemn cathedral, far vaster and more beautiful than any built by the hand of man.” After camping with naturalist John Muir, the president was so moved by the natural and sacred beauty of this pristine land that he established the National Forest Service, followed by hundreds of national monuments, protected parks, and wildlife sanctuaries—preserving more than 200 million acres of wilderness for generations to come. Your Tour Director can offer recommendations on how to fill your day.
Day 6: Yosemite,Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Location: Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Wuksachi Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
YOSEMITE–SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS Forest Giants & Heavenly Objects Travel to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. Tonight, enjoy dinner followed by a [LF] stargazing experience. (B,D)LOCAL FAVORITENATURAL WONDERS Explore the “Land of Giants” in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to discover a land of stunning diversity and beauty with soaring mountains, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees! This natural region is also blessed with some of the darkest night skies (free from city lights) that offer an amazing opportunity for spectacular stargazing. As you look skyward to the glittering heavens, hear ancient and cultural legends about the constellations you’ll witness in the night sky. TOUR HIGHLIGHTACCOMODATION SPOTLIGHT Feel like you're dreaming with a stay at the wonderful Wuksachi Lodge in the heart of Sequoia National Park. The beautifully crafted cedar and stone architecture offer panoramic views of the surrounding forest and High Sierra peaks from its spectacular alpine setting in the Sequoias.
Day 7: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks,Monterey
Location: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, Monterey
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Regency Monterey
Meals Included: Breakfast
SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS–MONTEREY Old-Growth Trees & Ocean Tides Spend more time this morning exploring these magnificent parks, which now protect nearly half the remaining sequoia groves in the world. See the General Sherman Tree, spend time at the Visitors’ Center, or simply relax in the tranquil settings. Continue across the farmlands of California to the coastal town of Monterey, home to the world-famous Cannery Row, for a 2-night stay. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORY & HERITAGE Immortalized by John Steinbeck in his novel of the same name, Cannery Row is filled with history and vibrant sights along the waterfront of Monterey Bay. Once a bustling district of sardine factories, the street is a brightly painted avenue of eateries and shops that harken back to a heritage of fishermen and rich stories. Tomorrow morning, stroll along the wharf for the chance to see whales, otters, and other sea creatures in the kelp forests of the Pacific Ocean shore.
Day 8: Monterey. Excursion To Carmel
Location: Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Regency Monterey
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
MONTEREY. EXCURSION TO CARMEL The Rocky Shores of Pebble Beach This morning, spend your free time visiting historic Cannery Row and the pier at Fisherman’s Wharf. Other highlights today include a journey along scenic 17-Mile Drive and the seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Return to Monterey, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEMS Feel the windswept spirit of the Pacific Ocean with a spectacular drive along 17-Mile Drive to the charming haven of Carmel-by-the-Sea. See its crooked cottages and twisted trees in the popular haunt of writers, artists, and celebrities. You’ll pass by sweeping sea views and rocky shores, visit the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Course for a walk on the fairway, and see the iconic Lone Cypress clinging to its rocky perch.
Day 9: Monterey,San Francisco
Location: Monterey, San Francisco
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, travel back to San Francisco for your homebound flight. Please schedule flights after 1 pm.
What's Included
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Fully Guided
Expert guide and director on this tour.
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Transport
Private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi
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Meals
8 Breakfast and 4 dinner are included.
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Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
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International Travel
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Insurance
Meals
Breakfast daily, 4 dinners
Small Group
Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select North America dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Globus escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.
UNESCO Sites
Yosemite National Park
Accommodation
San Francisco:San Francisco Marriott MarquisSacramento:Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront PromenadeYosemite National Park:Tenaya Lodge at YosemiteSequoia National Park:Wuksachi LodgeMonterey:Hyatt Regency Monterey
Mode of Transport
Travel across Northern California by coach, including scenic drives through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and along the Pacific coast, with stops at iconic locations such as San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, and Monterey.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour travels across Northern California by coach, including scenic drives through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and along the Pacific coast.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
The tour includes stays at various hotels: San Francisco Marriott Marquis in San Francisco, Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront Promenade in Sacramento, Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite in Yosemite National Park, Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park, and Hyatt Regency Monterey in Monterey.
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Are there any special activities included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a variety of special activities such as a welcome drink in San Francisco, a wine tasting at a family-owned winery in Sonoma, an open-air Valley Floor Tram tour in Yosemite National Park, and a stargazing experience in Sequoia National Park.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes breakfast daily and 4 dinners.
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Is there any free time during the tour to explore on my own?
Yes, there are several opportunities for free time during the tour, including free time in San Francisco, Sonoma, Sacramento, Yosemite National Park, and Monterey.
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What are some of the highlights of the tour?
Highlights of the tour include sightseeing in San Francisco, visiting Yosemite National Park, exploring Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and a journey along scenic 17-Mile Drive to Carmel-by-the-Sea.
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Is this tour suitable for small groups?
Yes, Globus offers Small-Group Discoveries on select North America dates, limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure.
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What is the starting and ending location of the tour?
The tour starts and ends in San Francisco, California.
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What time should I schedule my flight on the last day of the tour?
Please schedule flights after 1 pm on the last day of the tour.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
For over 90 years.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Travel documents, including any air tickets, itineraries, and other information, are available approximately two to three weeks prior to departure provided full payment has been received.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Globus Lighthouse Project - an illuminating initiative where we can all come together to tread lightly and give generously for the globe's greater good. Globus, along with sister companies Avalon Waterways and Cosmos, invite our travellers and partners to help us in supporting causes that provide for a more sustainable planet and a brighter tomorrow.
Reviews of this operator
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Low Deposit
Barrhead Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 98 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of barrhead travel charges.
Up to 98 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 97 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Why book with Barrhead?
Fully Protected
All our holidays are fully financially protected.
Your flight & hotel package is fully ATOL protected.
Range
Our bespoke holidays are tailor-made to suit your personal requirements.
We can book flights, rail journeys, accommodation, cruises, attraction tickets and much more.
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
Expert Knowledge
We know because we go – our Touring & Adventure specialists have travelled to over 55 countries.
Reliable & unbiased advice from our trusted travel experts.
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We look after you every step of the way.